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Top 4 Must See Buildings

30 St Mary Axe in London, United Kingdom is an...

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There are just some buildings around the world that make the list of “must see.” These are buildings that sport unique architecture, interesting structures, or have a fun story behind the structure. Here, we’ll take a look at four of the most creative buildings around the world. How about it? Do any of these buildings make your must see list?

1.       The Gherkin, London. This building is very unique. The interesting “gherkin” shape is 40-storeys and is home to many banking and financial companies. The building is in the heart of London and opened on April 28, 2004. It’s London’s second tallest building and was designed by Lord Foster, Ken Shuttleworth, and Arup Engineers.

2.       Taipei 101, Taiwan. Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest building, until Burj Dubai was building. But, the building does have its own records that are giving it a great name. For instance, you’ll find the world’s fastest elevator here (it goes 16.83 m/sec). The building is 101 storeys and was completed in 2004.

3.       The Chrysler Building, New York City. The fabulous art deco design is what really makes The Chrysler Building stand out. The building was inspired by the automobile industry, and has stainless steel and intimidating gargoyles. When it was completed in 1930, The Chrysler Building overtook the Eiffel Tower as the world’s tallest building. The building only held that spot for about a year when the Empire State Building overtook the title.

4.       Somerset House, London. Heading back over the pond to London, we find the Somerset House. This building, built in neoclassical style, was constructed in 1755. It stands between the Strand and the River Thames. Now, it’s home to many art exhibits.

If you aren’t inspired yet, now may be the time to take a look at some of these incredible structures.

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Landmarks that Should Be on Your Bucket List

Have you made a bucket list? You know, it’s the list of all the things you want to do before you die. If you have a bucket list and you are working to cross items off that list, don’t forget to include some spectacular monuments on your “must-see” list. Here’s a list of our favorites.

1.       The Statue of Liberty. There’s no doubt about it. Everyone at some point in their life should see the Statue of Liberty in person. Lady Liberty is a stunning site. Plus, she represents freedom from oppression. The emotion that is evoked when visiting the Statue of Liberty is something that cannot be compared.

2.       The Eiffel Tower. For another stunning structure, you must go to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This iron tower has restaurants on the levels and allows visitors to take in the wonderful view of the City of Lights from the top.

3.       The Golden Gate Bridge. Known as one of the great structures in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge welcomes visitors to California. Go ahead and drive, walk, or bike across the bridge.

4.       Brooklyn Bridge. While we’re on the subject of bridges, head to the opposite coast and check out the Brooklyn Bridge. Walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn across these wooden planks. Go ahead and grab a slice of pizza on the other side of the bridge.

5.       The Chrysler Building. This building is stunning, in both size and beauty. Check out one of the tallest buildings in the world and marvel at the beautiful art deco style.

The five landmarks listed here should be on everyone’s “to do” list. Take some time to explore the beautiful architecture and see for yourself why these landmarks are some of the most famous in the world. Come on! Pack your bags and cross a few items off your bucket list.

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Top 5 Landmarks Around the World

The top of the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington

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There are just some places that are synonymous with their landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, The Statue of Liberty, and the Space Needle, are all landmarks that are associated with a famous city. Below, enjoy the top five most famous landmarks from around the world.

1.       The Roman Baths. In Bath, England, the Roman Empire built one of the great architectural structures in the world. With elegant arches and aqueducts, the baths are one of the only surviving structures built by the Romans. The complex is well preserved, even showing the site for public bathing. But don’t touch the waters nowdays – they aren’t sanitary.

2.       Persepolis. Persia, which is modern day Iran, is known for the major attraction of Persepolis. Here you’ll find the ceremonial capital of the former Persian empire. Persepolis is a World Heritage Site and contains some fascinating architecture.

3.       Christ the Redeemer. This statue in Brazil is one of the most famous architectural wonders in the world. It’s a 120 foot tall, 635 ton structure representing Jesus Christ. The statue is located at the top of the Concovado Mountain in the Tijauca Forest National Park. This landmark overlooks the entire city of Rio de Janerio.

4.       Basilica of Saint Peter. Vatican City may be the smallest state in the world, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in terms of visitors. One of the reasons for so many visitors in St. Peter Basilica. This place is known as one of the most holiest places in the world. The architecture is stunning and the art, by noted Michelangelo, is unparalleled.

5.       The National Mall. Not just one landmark, but an entire area full over popular landmarks resides here. People flock from all over the world to Washington DC to see the many monuments on the National Mall.

It’s time to pack your bags and check out these landmarks for yourself!

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Top 5 Landmarks in the US

There’s something special and magnificent about landmarks. They usually have a special meaning and are in a certain spot to commemorate a special occasion or place. The United States is full of fabulous landmarks. If you are looking for interesting architectural pieces to stun and wow, then take a look at the top picks for favorite US landmarks.

1.       Hoover Dam. The initial thought of Hoover Dam might not seem that exciting. After all, what’s so great about 4.36 million cubic yards of concrete? Well, in terms of Hoover Dam, that much concrete is really an architectural marvel. Hoover Dam and its operations actually powers all of the light in Las Vegas!

2.       The Hollywood sign. This iconic symbol is known the world over. The sign is a significant landmark for Los Angeles – and all of California for that matter. The sign was completed in 1923 as an advertisement for the Hollywood Hills development. Now, the Hollywood sign is a welcome sight to those coming to California seeking fame and fortune.

3.       Mount Rushmore. The sight of American Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln is certainly enough to really move any individual. Plus, the Black Hills make an absolutely stunning backdrop. Gutzon Borglum and his crew of 400 people built the monument from 1927 until 1941.

4.       Golden Gate Bridge. This famous bridge has become a symbol for the “city by the bay.” People every day drive, walk and take in views from this bridge. The bridge is a type of “golden” color, but the name of the bridge actually comes from the state of California – known as the Golden State.

5.       The Statue of Liberty. There’s no symbol that represents America better than the Statue of Liberty. A gift from France, Lady Liberty has welcomed immigrants from around the world. Indeed, this is the ultimate American landmark.

What do you think? Are you ready to visit one of these famous spots?

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Most Popular World-Wide Landmarks

Some places are automatically recognized because of their famous landmarks. Paris for the Eiffel Tower, New York City for the Statue of Liberty, and Seattle for the Space Needle are just a few examples. If you are looking to visit some of these famous landmarks, then you may want to know which ones are the most popular. Take a look at the list below to see the most popular and most visited landmarks around the world.

1.       The Eiffel Tower. There’s no doubt about it that the Eiffel Tower is one of the most sought after and famous landmarks in the world. Nothing says Paris like high fashion, snooty women, and of course the Eiffel Tower. In fact, the Tower is universal icon of the French way of life.

2.       Big Ben. Big Ben in London is seen in movies, on TV, and in books. It’s a symbol of Europe and represents England in an elegant way. Listen for the clock to chime every hour while you are visiting London.

3.       Empire State Building. This popular landmark is in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world – New York City. This art deco building is the most popular building in New York. The building rose during the Great Depression, which makes the famous spot even more amazing.

4.       The Forbidden City. There’s not just one building here in Beijing, but rather a cluster of ancient buildings. In fact, it’s the largest cluster of buildings in the world and is indeed a city within a city.

5.       Cologne Cathedral. The Cologne Cathedral in Germany is one of the largest Gothic churches in all of Europe. This cathedral has become known as a landmark of Europe.

It’s time to pack your bags and experiences these famous landmarks for yourself. Go ahead and marvel at some of the greatest architecture in the world.

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What You Need to Know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning tower of pisa 4

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa, in Italy, is indeed one of the most intriguing structures in the entire world.One of the things that makes this building so interesting is the fact that it does, in fact, lean. During the early stages of construction, the structure gave in and began stilting southwest. In addition to the fact that the building does tilt and the amount of time it took to build, there are other very interesting facts to know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The debate about who actually built the Tower has been going on for year. In fact, there’s a bit of controversy surrounding who is the architect of this magnificent structure. It’s commonly believed that Bonanno Pisano created this masterpiece. No matter who the true architect is, this building is certainly a sight to behold.

The construction of the Tower of Pisa became in 1178. When the builders reached the third floor, they has to stop construction completely as the building began to sink. The weak and unstable soil are to blame for the sinking. This is where the “leaning” part of the Tower of Pisa comes into play. Work on the tower stopped for nearly 90 years after the sinking, with many believing there was no way to save the building. Giovanni di Simone and Tommano Simone took on the task to complete the tower. In the 90 years since construction began, the soil had time to settle. This presented the opportunity to complete the structure. If the soil wouldn’t have settled during that time, the tower would have collapsed.

By this point, the tower indeed had a tilt to it. To compensate for the tilt, the engineers built the next four floors with one side taller than the other. The engineers actually manipulated the tower to lean in the opposite direction. Thus, the tower began to be known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

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Must Know Facts about the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower, Paris

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The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Just about everyone knows what the Eiffel Tower is and where it stands (Paris, in case you didn’t know), but how many people know the interesting and quirky facts about the Eiffel Tower? Chances are, not many. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the must know facts about the world-famous Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower is an iron structure built on the Champ de Mars by the Seine River. The structure took two years to build and was completed in 1889. At night, the structure shines all over Paris as it is beautifully illuminated.

The Eiffel Tower was named after the main architect, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. He was also the architect who designed the internal frame for the Statue of Liberty. Work began on the tower in 1887 and was complete by March 1889. Up until 1930, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world. The metal that comprises the tower weigh 7,300 tons. It took 50 engineers and designers, 5,300 drawings, and more than 100 workers to build the 18,000 parts of the tower.

Visitors are welcome to come to the Eiffel Tower. In fact, there have been over 200 million visitors to the Eiffel Tower. On a clear day, it’s possible to see over 42 miles away from the top of the tower. If you want to go to the top, just take one of the elevators. The Eiffel Tower is open 365 days a year and has two restaurants – on the first and second platforms.

The Eiffel Tower is one of those iconic structures that many people put on their must-see list. It’s easy to see, with fun facts like the ones above, why the Eiffel Tower is such a famous building.

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Preserving Historic Buildings

The Tower Bridge, built in 1935, a popular lan...
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Due to the economy and government budgets being cut, many cities all over the United States are allowing their historical buildings to fall by the wayside. Historical buildings take a lot to preserve. There are special building materials and extra maintenance that go into keeping historical buildings in their original condition. These buildings require special paints that can go with the building, special hardwood that matches the existing structures, and some of the historical buildings require complete electrical and plumbing makeovers. These materials and maintenance can cost a lot, and governments do not have the money to keep up the buildings. Luckily, cities such as Sacramento have come up with a solution that allows the historical buildings to be preserved without having to cost the government a lot of money.

Sacramento came up with the idea of allowing specific management companies to purchase these lovely historical landmarks. The idea behind this concept is simple. Cities will list several historical properties that need renovations and remodeling. The lists are provided to various private property management companies that are allowed to consider these buildings for purchase. The cost to purchase these historical buildings for many of the private Sacramento property management companies is fairly cheap. This is because the maintenance that is required could run anywhere from the original purchase price of the property or even go as high as millions of dollars. Once the company decides to purchase the property, they sign an agreement with the city that promises them that they will keep the historical building in historical condition.

In the past few years since this compromise between the city of Sacramento and property management companies came about, hundreds of historical buildings have been preserved and protected. In fact, Sacramento has become one of the United State’s most well-known areas for historical buildings and landmarks.

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Top 3 Most Famous Buildings

There are some buildings that once you hear the name, you know you just have to visit. Around the globe, famous architects have constructed some of the most interesting and spectacular buildings ever known. If you love architecture, take a look at this list of three of the most famous buildings in the world.

1.       10 Downing Street, London. Here’s a structure that may not be all that familiar, but it is indeed the most famous office building in London. Built in 1732 as a gift from King George II to Sir Robert Walpole, 10 Downing Street has been used ever since. Prime Ministers often live here, although some in recent years have declined this place as their home. 10 Downing Street is used for Cabinet meetings, to entertain guests, and as office space.

2.       The White House, Washington DC. The White House was built by James Hoban, an Irish-born architect. The building is one of the most famous in the world. It’s a symbol or Western politics and is home to the American President. The current name of The White House was given to the structure in 1901 by President Theodore Roosevelt.

3.       Bank of China, Hong Kong. This 72-story building was built in 1990. It’s the third largest building in Hong Kong. The building has a unique triangular shape that was designed by I.M. Pei. The true beauty of this building is that it was built to withstand typhoon-strength winds.

There are many incredible buildings around the world that are absolute must sees. These three here represent some of the most unique and interesting buildings you may find. Take some time to explore unique and interesting structure around the world and make your own list of buildings to see. So how about it – are you ready to pack your bags and visit these world-famous monuments?

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Interesting Facts about the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is known around the world. It’s a massive building in the heart of New York City. Businessmen come to the building everyday for their work and to conduct business. Visitors flock to this landmark to see NYC from high above. With how much attention the building gets, it’s surprising how little people actually know about this famous building. Here we’ll take a look at some interesting facts you may or may not know about the Empire State Building.

-          The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet tall. The building was designed by famed architects Shreve, Lamb, & Harmon Associates and was built by Starret Bros. & Eken.  It took one year, 45 days to finish the building – ahead of the original schedule!

-          It costs $24,718,000 to build to Empire State Building. Here’s an interesting fact: that’s actually half the cost it normally would have cost to build a structure of this size. Because the building was built during the Great Depression, it costs half as much to build.

-          There are 102 floors in the building.  There are 1,860 steps from the street level to the top of the 102nd floor. It includes 6,500 windows.

-          Inside, there are mostly business offices. Nobody lives inside the building, but there are hundreds of offices. For many, the reason to come to the Empire State Building has nothing to do with doing business. People come here for the tourist attraction. Tourists can go to the top of the building for an incredible view of the entire city.

The Empire State Building is certainly a building that is known around the world.  If you are planning a trip to the Big Apple for business or pleasure, be sure to make a stop at the Empire State Building. You can purchase tickets to the observation deck and see for yourself why this building is so magnificent.

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